Chee Hong Tat on the cost of living pressures in Singapore 

Income drops but house prices up, great.

I'll fire this PAP minister immediately if I were the next PM. A highfalutin speech drafted by shallow civil servants (scholars) won't solve the problem. They didn't solve the massive jobless and under-employed PMET problems. Instead, they have inflated a huge expensive training industry that is surviving on funds from the government. Low unemployment rate? It's just how civil servants (scholars) play with the data when plotting the charts. One Great Asia = Entire PAP team. Ha ha ha!

Lots of talking, no solution. High cost of living are mostly Government induced.

The opposition also don’t have to win the debate but show their ideas and the dishonesty from the gov to not acknowledge their idess

ASTRONOMICAL RECORD COE Prices. 192 MILLION collected in just 1 Cycle Extrapolate 12 mths x 2 cycles >4.6 BILLION 💰💰 Collected from just Printing " INVISIBLE " Paper 4G ADDICTED to 💰💰💰

Let us not put all the blames for inflation in Singapore to external or foreign factors to justify for the increase rather than concentrate on why inflation in Singapore has affected the cost of living so badly in as much as causing it to rise to a critical level.

Increasing the GST every year is going to make it even worse for consumers

I'm sorry we are not interested in the world, please address the Singapore issue, stop talking nonsense !

Think there is a need to reign in food court prices. Feeling the heat as we patronize Kopithiam yesterday at average $6 per dish in Sengkang with no alternatives around.

Ground sentiment is ripe with concern at the rising living costs and stagnant wages. Indeed, this worry has been acknowledged by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (PM Lee) in his National Day Rally address. Why then does the Straits Times not give a more balanced view? Instead, it chooses to present a one sided slant of the picture.

Our water is recycled. We are an island surrounded by water. So why scarcity of water that need to increase water bill more than 3X + gst tax? Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam never ever need to increase water & electricity bill. Salary across board did not increase however PAP has been increasing during inflation, recession, depression. President, PM, Ministers are all armchair general earning income of high networth individual. Its govt servant to serve the ppl not corporation to profit from every which way. Have you taken a happiness index? President, PM, ministers salary should never be above 250,000 per year. We are a tiny dot yet salary is even higher than the super power of the world. What amazing & rocket science achievement did the govt did & acceptance in every Singaporean heart? People & hearts make a country not elected govt.

The solution is very easy for PAP lah, just has to win the debate. Ha ha ha!

Chee Hong Tat is going to get white hair just as Lawrence Wong & Vivian Balakrishnan!

Use hawker centre prices to get a good feel of real price index as experienced by the poor, you'll see that inflation is a runaway, way higher than that of the official number. Government has not been able to "cushion" this at all. Why? They think that it is endurable by this group of citizens.

Government is not really interested in controlling inflation or cost of living. The higher the cost, the more people have to spend, and have to make the money to spend, and hence higher productivity for economy.

The thing about rankings and figures is that it cannot be taken out of context. Although it still has a place as a benchmark, it will not paint an accurate picture unless all the finer details are also disclosed. The ranking of Singapore’s livability needs to have caveats. It needs to state that this is merely from the viewpoint of expatriates with high salaries. If it doesn’t, it is a misrepresentation of reality.

MP salary way high that can't feel cost of living to those low income earner if policies are not change why should we vote them in and changes hv to be fast and channel those support funds,directly to their banks acc .

PHV is oversaturated and there has to be a capped on the amount of COE being allocated for PHV . If not perhaps a PHV tax to be implemented for car to be registered as PHV. That will bring the COE system to be fair for normal cosumers/buyers.

only our salary never increases

YesCostOfLivingIncreasingLeadsHeartachely😩😩😩

Unfortunately, i think this is just a great speech.

Increase the low income minimum level to sgd800 not sgd400. How to survive in this global stackflation?

The water tiered system doesn’t work if it’s built upon the rebate scheme. To make it works, Pritam plz propose the system from the ground

Plenty of HDB void decks space to rent out for cheap to non intrusive businesses.

I could say that the water price is extremely high considering that Singapore got its water from Malaysia at 3 Malaysian sen (cents).

We rich we drive, we husband and wife are professionals, we have two cars in the family. You poor you low-class you no drive. We high- class our children drive to school. The Pledge or The Biggest Lie? "We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation." Remind you, that you are already using toilets with water-saving fixtures to allow the rich to swim in private pools and play in bathtubs. Ha ha ha!

It’s not about better jobs with higher pay only. It’s about multiple sources of income where we don’t need to work. Sometimes u cannot design system for employee mindset only , u need to design as investor mindset. Allow us to build alternative long term cashflow engine using the temasek and gic system. I propose for our gov this .. just every paycheck 5-10 percent we have the option to park our money into a gov back dividend model that pays out every year, It’s like cpf model but cashflow focused usuable from the age of 40/50.

Can help to remove water tax for 3 room and below? The lower income seriously needs help.

To contain the COE price, do not allow car dealers bid COE and all COE bidders must pay what they bidded for and not the lowest successful bidded price. High Car price due to high COE price would impact the whole supply chain, not just external factors.

enough of all the tcss policies hv to change fast

These high salary politicians will not understand how people are struggling. Don't fool people that they can understand. No way.

Pay themselves obscene pay to overcome high cost of living, leaving common Singaporeans to suffers n bleed. Thats Selfish Inconsiderate Act by Government !!!

The rental market is so crazy that no one can afford to greediness of land lords. That can very well be controlled. So many Singaporeans, Malaysians and expats alike suffer great deal!

How is it fair when a household of 2 receives the same support as a household of 8?

While chee’s predecessor is enjoying a handsome allowance of 8.5K awaiting his innocence

That’s how you add words to your essay guys. By just writing nonsense that’s irrevlant to the topic

Despite a gov grant, Bus company still incur a loss as alleged. Evidently the bus company operation has not been properly managed and thus was not realised by the gov.

Half the size of the economy is sustained by low-income locals and foreigners. Even haircutting has also become a low-income industry that provides jobs for foreigners such as Malaysians. Every day, under the sun and rain, Singaporeans doing Grab food delivery are competing with Malaysians and other foreigners to earn that S$2500 monthly income. How about the other half of the economy? Singapore's GDP per capita (IMF): 2005: US$30,000 2020: US$60,000 (doubled in 15 years) 2023: US$90,000 (grew another US$30k in 3 years) Singapore is a global financial (money laundering) hub. The other half of the economy is sustained by HOT MONEY. (How many US$trillions of hot money are floating across the world now?) Now you know why HDB 4-rm flats are S$500,000 and above? Now you know why 3-bdrm 1000 sqft condos are S$2 million? Now you know why the rise of COE prices cannot be slowed down? Now you know why the living cost is so high? Naive, if you think towkays can afford to pay you high wages and salaries in order for you to live expensively. Ha ha ha!

Can save some $ by downsizing a 3 pc ERP 2.0 meal (not incl cables, cable ties, screws, manhour) to just a main...

Another point to add they should also look into the manpower to lean the needs of CECA as many believes CECA is a wastage of foreign resources.

just peg utility tier charges to follow income tax. 1 tier screws up, so does the other.

Our alternative ideas are guided by our belief that it is the people who should take the lead in driving the economy (as opposed to the current state-run affair through Temasek-owned companies) and who should have the predominant voice in how their wages are taxed and CPF savings used.

Ways to reduce living cost are crucial to boost the next gen economy further

Why should the system provides for bidders to be able to see what others are bidding?

Even with the use of reused water through processing has not solved the solution but clearly increases cost which evidently cost the inflated critical cost of living situations.

I am still not convinced on his argument on COE. It should be a principled approach, just like water and electricity. To some, having a car is a necessity and there is a need to balance this with affordability (it cannot be solely based on who can afford shall own the car).

With this alternative policy on the cost of living, the SDP aims to change such a political arrangement and return the power to the people and, in the process, make living in this country more affordable and less stressful - in other words, a better life for all.

Gov needs to monitor the prices increase on private sector...gst up 3 % for example...so.food and things outside should.not be up.more.than 3.% mah ...

Thorough debate without a strong opposition in parliament gives rise to PAP pushing them rough their policies that has created this cost of living crisis

How about GST Helps for retirees ?

Why can't we use KPI for our bus system nomatter how the minister look at it from his own point of views.

Under the present autocratic system, however, the people have little say in how their lives are run. Decisions on financial matters, especially regarding taxes, fees and CPF savings, are dictated by the elite few in the PAP.

Would be great if this sounded more relatable to the people on the ground. Currently, it sounds like you are just narrating.

When one drinking off a cup of boba, waiting to see MP pleading about cost of living...

PAP MPs and Cabinet members should take a substantial pay cut to let them understand the impact of the cost of living crisis on everyday Singaporeans. Finally, why is SI still getting paid? Do not trust PAP. Do not vote PAP.

I think his whole message was "we have to raise price of living or systems within Singapore will crumble". He only care about the system, nothing about the people bearing the brunt of repeated price hikes with no increase in income

Clearly the COE system is not the way to cutting vehicular quantities on the road.

SDP solutions: To temper this rising cost of living, we proposed 10 measures: 1. Cut ministerial pay to fund assistance schemes for the poor 2. Raise income tax rate for the top 1 percent 3. Ensure revenue neutral budgets 4. Scrap GST for essential items, raise GST for luxury goods 5.Legislate Minimum Wage 6.Reinstate Estate Duty 7.Reduce Healthcare Cost 8.Lower HDB Prices 9.Return CPF Savings 10.Stop profligate public spending

It is no use to talk irrelevance without doing exactly what is needed to bring down the rising cost of living crisis.

I think it is time for Singaporeans to do a rethink.

What happened to the MPs who were supposed to be present and seated behind. This is a very important issue to be debated. If these MPs are not interested, unable to contribute ideas, considered the issue as not important & care less, they should be removed & the country can save some money & will not contribute to the high cost of running the country & the cost of living.

No use trying to bring in external and foreign factors when in fact much of it is due to increases imposed by the government in the past and present years. Giving some cash and vouchers is no solution to the problems.

For a starter , we don’t have to pay the ministers highest wages to prevent corruption . They are not suppose to accept bribes to begin with . If is there is one thing we have to decrease to cut cost … it should be their salaries

The way the PAP men argued seems to suggest that the PAP men are too clever whilst the opposition men are too stupid.

It is no use trying to justify by comparing inflation in Singapore with some other countries such as India etc.

This is like .. street bro say I got a problem, then this gov bro tells me we doing very well. 😂

Now it is the lower income groups that are using buses, how could its subsidy be helping the rich?

Households will get subsidies whether or not they require help as said by the Minister is wasteful of public funds.

Rising GST definitely raises the cost of living. Isn't that the crisis so far as cost of living is concerned is created by the gov.

Stop giving excuses and try to use other countries as scape goats. Why don't PAP compare with China where China has no inflation and even some say deflation. No other countries see such high increase in housing and cars. PAP, why not solve the high cost of living first. Housing and car are so ridiculously expensive.Young couples cannot afford living in Singapore. People immigrate to other countries where one can afford big car and house. Furthermore, Singapore flat/house and land are not yours as majority of properties are 99 years leasehold which is ridiculous. Thus more than 80 percent of people in Singapore are renting and not home owners.

Dont need stand ready. Just dont take so much in the first place can already.

I am of the opinion that the Acting Minister is taking the easy way out by raising fares without taking steps to look for thee underlying reasons for bus company not making despite the high fares being paid by consumers. Surely the extremely highly paid minister is not expected to take easy ways out which any Tom, Dick or Harry could do so.

The gov will continue doing its best when the best is yet to be

Don't buy private car, take public transport, helps in mitigating pollutions and help in climate change. Don't always eat at Restaurants but cook meals at home. Don't buy branded clothes and apparels. Don't spend on expensive holiday trips. Reduce household electricity n water bills by not switching on Aircon but only fans. Hand wash clothes, reuse water from washing clothes to clean house floor...Don't send kid to expensive tuitions instead let them flourish on their own and help in reducing their stress. All these expenses will make you feel Inflation is not really affecting at all.. Trust me.. that's good.

Why same talking points year after year same same😂. Only different person saying. Gst 9% coming 😢😢.

COE should be scrapped because it’ll encourage car buyers to maximise the use of their cars, as the 10-yr clock is ticking already.

Giving cash in no way help to solve the underlying problems.

This is another Thursday December 21, 2023 7.33 am. Mr SHANMUGAM, I have left a message to you but captured in Preevi interviewing SDP Can you go into it. ❤❤

See what they do and not what they say…

It’s like saying I next year jack up the gst but next time I don’t increase so its ok. Either ur political lingo too strong or my street lingo fail. Increase means increase mah…

i disagree with Mr Chee on many of his explanations. Haiz.

All they need to do is get banks to reduce interest rates for existing loans, just greed earning, they can increase new loans for all they want

Cannot believe this guy spoke of nothing and is so totally out of touch for an hour.

Better dont let me catch you guys casually having lunch at hotel restaurants

What does WP meant ? Meaning if it ever become govt, it will artificially defuse inflation by suppressing the cost of biz ? If biz has to lower the prices this will mean the wages of the staffs will need to be suppressed. The middle and lower income will need to go down to the 1990s level inorder to revive a plate of $2 chicken rice. That will not happen. You cant go opposite against major ecomomies are doing. You cant artificially reduce the property and wage increase. WP mean it will not increase or perhaps even abolish GST ? If such then where are all those August GST vouchers, Silver support, medical top up, cost of living helping package to come about ? What will life be like under WP govt ? Working as your slave while you politicians to have a free rein to help yourself in the govt reserves ? PAP is more benevolent on this aspect. PAP is doing the right things since the big defeat of GE 2011 by helping the lower income. Dont worry about cost of living, the fresh uni graduates are earning at least $3.5 k. The median income of Singaporean are having good dual income. Singapore is a good place so much so Malaysians and expats are flocking to work here. There will always be more foreign talents who are willing to pay high rental just to work here. Those unhappy will grumble to relocate to cheaper countries,less stress they said, yes, you get lower pay too. And the currency yiu getting likely to be depreciating too. Other FT will be too happy to replace you. The govt shld help the middle class who have to care for the young kids and elderly parents as the opposition will try to build its base there. Look at Seng Kang, Punggol. Opposition took over these new towns which PAP spent so much effort building up. The govt can help by taxing comanies for white collar levy and taxing hotel industry and they will in term help the govt to get the taxes via tourists who need to stay at hotels. The day WP or PSP become govt, we will see SGD suffer the fate of MYR. They will likely to limit the in take of foreigner white collar and this will bring down the rental income of many elderly. They will likely to abolish many govt benefits for the lower income families such as silver support, CHAS etc. It is imperative that PAP stay in power. Under WP and PSP, everyone will likely to work till age 60s with little savings from hands to mouths while politicians gain the benefits. This is very very dangerous. This maybe explain why WP is so quiet about giving benefits to the people. Then vote you for what. To topple PAP and help you to advance your agenda ? If there is no covid 19 nor Russia invasion of Ukraine or high tensions between USA, western power against Russia, China, there will not be sharp increase of inflation. This mean the super rich will become richer ie the CEOs and or founder of businesses whilecthe screwd middle or higher income employees will upgrade their skills and job hopping every few years to advance their career and salary. Look at their linkelin and you can predict when they will be leaving their companies. I have an SG skill.united instructor who quit his job after 1 year stay. I was amazed cos he really did such. Every 1, 2 years i saw he advanced his career path. Smart chap. For those in their 20s, 30s who are married or thinking of married, you really need to think hard of even having a kid. Divorce rate are so rampant, your fate may end up living in 1 room hdb rental flat and maybe becoming IMH patient to survive and get monthly social welfare help as you give up your flat to your wife and children unless you are willing to work hard to pay monthly maintenance fees. Or your marriage is a success but you will bear the burden to support young kids and aged parents. Kids are unfilial these days. The kids you dote on will likely be the most cold one when you lie on the bed, active dying. I knew cos i saw such case personally. The doted son came, cast a glimpse on the body of the dead father, without sadness. He even lamented on wasting his half day leave few days ago cos the father looks strong just few days before his death. He visited his dad only 2 times in his 3.5 years plus of nursing home stay. No.point visiting he said since the dad cant recognise him cos of dementia. He said it may be better for the dad to die than to be bed ridden. He laugh and said what to expect when its (normal) for the aged father to die when he heard about how embalming the body meant to draw out the blood and replace with poisonous chemical to preserve the body of his father who doted him so much. Think hard if you eant to have a kid, you cant afford not to work. You cannot abandon your kid and not feed him. MSF will come after you for ill treating or neglecting your kid. Its time for PAP to tax more the foreigners working here to support the middle class. Thats the only way to sustain the cost of living package for lower and middle class. Dont worry, they will still enjoy a good life when they retire back home. Your obligation is to Singaporeans not the foreigners. WP, no benefits to the lower income, vote you for what ? Enough of your poltical picks on PAP, they meant nothing to those who are fighting for daily living. They only vote for the party that help them. Learn from PAP. Same go to you too PSP. Raid our CPF to help ourself ? Its when economics are bad, real bad, then PAP will extend helping hand. Its a very pramatic govt. Thus it depends on each individuals. Anyway the loeer income will still suffer most when economy is real good. Thats when govt stop giving benefits. Thsts when things get tricky, unhappy voters will bring freak GE results. The day PAP stop givong benefits, they run the risk of losing govt. They must win else they and tgeir families may end up becoming 2nd class citizens in foreign countries. Its better to be rulers than to be ruled. Thus PAP must win.. Btw there is plenty of room for GST to go higher even at 9%. Look at the 1st world countries VATs. More GST mean more room for PAP to implement policies that can help them to win next election. Ppl who cry foul to high cost of living. Food court operators and hawkers arent dump, they saw how their young clients earn at least $3k, and they going to provide low cost of food while they slog their life ? Ppl will still dine out.

Harvey Norman has came up with a plan called "Adopt An Appliance" for public to pay at cheaper price to donate to poor families. Our government can do likewise like "Adopt A Dinning Table" at selected restaurants for poorer families to have the luxury to enjoy a good meal with their family once in a while at these restaurants. Of course, these families have to show proof that they qualify for the scheme. It is not to encourage a welfare state but a more caring society.

😢😢😢😢😢😢

Spend less, Eat less ..don't complain..let MP do more important tasks.# raise GST to 12%. to tax the Rich

Now then he realise. He cannot be sleeping on his job.

Good and sound policies.

Don't waste time talking when you can not produce results.

He is playing GOD

The new Transport Minister CHT has good presentation on the cost of living. He could also speak on issues created by having CECA as well the increase of foreign labors that is the root cause indirect impact to Singaporeans those without jobs and those with low wages Singaporeans. He should counter propose to immediately abolish CECA. That would resolve most of the cost-of-living issues. In-Depth breakdown on how many FT are spending on transport alone vs the wages FT are getting. What is the numbers, that would excite more on the debate. And also what is the reason for Singaporean to accept an increase when there is reported zero growth in hiring Singaporeans. Still dont get the equation right from the start. Those numbers can be generated from job boards how many are FT hired and how many are locally hired and what are the companies.

Income growth,???😂😂

Codt of living too high. Not going to raise a family or having children.

Pls don't compare to other concentrate in your country 😂😂

his english kns

Mr Chee is one of the best leader around. He is always involved with the community and a very devoted person. He should be the next DPM, not OYK nor CCS

someone coughing

This is so tone deaf to the ground sentiment.